Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device including a display panel, in which a display region including a plurality of organic light emitting devices and a non-display region adjacent to the display region are defined, a protection film disposed below the display panel, a first adhesive layer contacting a bottom surface of the protection film, and a supporting layer including a metallic material, at least overlapping the entire display region, and contacting the first adhesive layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0088677, filed on Jul. 12, 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to a display device with high durability,good heat-dissipation property, and good aesthetic appearance.

Discussion of the Background

Various display apparatuses are being developed and used in multimediadevices, such as televisions, cell phones, tablet computers, navigationsystems, gaming machines, and the like.

Some portable display devices, such as cell phones, tablet PCs, orwearable devices, have a risk of being damaged by an external impactduring their usage. Furthermore, ineffective dissipation of heatgenerated from internal components of a display device to the outsidemay cause injury to a user, such as low temperature burn.

In a typical mode of usage, a display device is in a turned-on staterather than in a turned-off state. Therefore, it is desirable for adisplay device to provide an excellent display quality in the turn-onstate and an excellent aesthetic appearance in the turn-off state.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept,and, therefore, it may contain information that does not form the priorart that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skillin the art.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a display device withenhanced durability to an external impact.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide a display devicehaving an excellent heat-dissipation property and an excellent aestheticappearance.

Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description whichfollows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may belearned by practice of the inventive concept.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a display device includes adisplay panel, in which a display region including a plurality oforganic light emitting devices and a non-display region adjacent to thedisplay region are defined, a protection film disposed below the displaypanel, a first adhesive layer contacting a bottom surface of theprotection film, and a supporting layer including a metallic material,at least overlapping the entire display region, and contacting the firstadhesive layer.

The first adhesive layer may include a pressure sensitive adhesive.

The first adhesive layer may have a black color.

The protection film may include a plurality of alignment marks on abottom portion thereof, and the supporting layer may expose thealignment marks.

The supporting layer may have a recessed region formed in one sidethereof in a plan view, and the recessed region may expose the alignmentmarks.

A width of the supporting layer may be greater than a width of thedisplay panel.

The metallic material may include at least one of stainless steel,aluminum, iron, and copper.

The supporting layer may further include graphite.

The supporting layer may further include a plating layer having a blackcolor and contacting the first adhesive layer.

The plating layer may include nickel (Ni).

The metallic material may include a first metallic material and a secondmetallic material different from the first metallic material, and thesupporting layer may include a first metal layer and a second metallayer comprising the first metallic material and the second metallicmaterial, respectively.

The display device may further include a second adhesive layer disposedbetween the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

The display device may further include an anti-reflection unit disposedon the display panel, an input-sensing unit disposed on theanti-reflection unit, and a window panel disposed on the input-sensingunit.

An upward direction, a downward direction, a leftward direction, and arightward direction may be defined on a plane parallel to the displayregion, in the rightward direction and the leftward direction, theanti-reflection unit may protrude outwardly from the supporting layer,in the upward direction, the anti-reflection unit may protrude outwardlyfrom the supporting layer, and in the downward direction, the supportinglayer may protrude outwardly from the anti-reflection unit.

The display panel may further include a plurality of pads disposed inthe downward direction and configured to provide electrical signals tothe organic light emitting devices.

The display device may further include a pressure-sensing unit disposedbelow the supporting layer and configured to sense pressure exerted froman outside.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a display device includes adisplay panel configured to display an image, an anti-reflection unitdisposed on the display panel and configured to suppress reflection ofexternal light incident thereto, a first adhesive layer disposed belowthe display panel, and a supporting layer having rigidity and directlydisposed on the first adhesive layer, in which a portion of thesupporting layer overlaps the display panel and does not overlap theanti-reflection unit in a plan view.

The first adhesive layer may include a pressure sensitive adhesive thathas a black color.

The display panel may include a plurality of alignment marks disposed ona lower portion thereof, and the supporting layer may have a recessedregion exposing the alignment marks.

The supporting layer may include a metallic material or graphite.

The metallic material may include SUS304 or SUS316.

The supporting layer may further include a plating layer having a blackcolor and contacting the adhesive layer.

The plating layer may include nickel.

The supporting layer may include a first metal layer including a firstmetallic material, and a second metal layer may include a secondmetallic material different from the first metallic material.

The display device may further include a second adhesive member disposedbetween the first metal layer and the second metal layer and configuredto combine the first metal layer with the second metal layer.

A width of the supporting layer may be greater than a width of thedisplay panel.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concept, and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D, and FIG. 2E are cross-sectionalviews illustrating display devices according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a display panel according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pixel according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a verticalsection taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a verticalsection taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a verticalsection taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a difference in visibility of surface wrinklesbetween a display device according to an exemplary embodiments and aconventional display device.

FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, and FIG. 10C are cross-sectional views illustratingsupporting layers according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11A is a plan view illustrating a structure, in which a displaypanel, a protection film, and a supporting layer are stacked, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of portion ‘AA’ of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a verticalsection taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are perspective views illustrating display devicesaccording to exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however,that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplaryembodiments.

In the accompanying figures, the size and relative sizes of layers,films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity anddescriptive purposes. Also, like reference numerals denote likeelements.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,”or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on,connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or interveningelements or layers may be present. When, however, an element or layer isreferred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or“directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no interveningelements or layers present. For the purposes of this disclosure, “atleast one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the groupconsisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only,or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance,XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, theseelements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element,component, region, layer, and/or section from another element,component, region, layer, and/or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer, and/or section discussed below could be termeda second element, component, region, layer, and/or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and,thereby, to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of anapparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to theorientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus inthe drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus maybe otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors usedherein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedexemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such,variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions,but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance,manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as arectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or agradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binarychange from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried regionformed by implantation may result in some implantation in the regionbetween the buried region and the surface through which the implantationtakes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematicin nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actualshape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD accordingto an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device DDmay include a display surface DD-IS used to display an image IM. Thedisplay surface DD-IS may be parallel to a first direction axis DR1 anda second direction axis DR2. A normal direction of the display surfaceDD-IS (e.g., a thickness direction of the display device DD) will bereferred to as a third direction axis DR3.

Hereinafter, the third direction axis DR3 may be used to differentiate afront or top surface of each element from a back or bottom surface.However, directions indicated by the first to third direction axes DR1,DR2, and DR3 may be relative concepts and may not be limited to theabove example, and, in some exemplary embodiments, they may be changedto indicate other directions. Hereinafter, first to third directions maybe directions indicated by the first to third direction axes DR1, DR2,and DR3, respectively, and will be identified with the same referencenumbers.

The display device DD in FIG. 1 is shown as having a flat displaysurface, but the inventive concepts are not limited thereto. Forexample, the display surface of the display device DD may have a curvedor three-dimensional shape. When the display device DD has thethree-dimensional display surface, the display surface may include aplurality of display regions that are oriented in different directions.For example, the display device DD may have a display surface having apolygonal pillar shape.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the display device DD may be arigid display device. However, the inventive concepts are not limitedthereto, and in some embodiments, the display device DD may be aflexible display device. In the present exemplary embodiment, thedisplay device DD may be used as a cellphone terminal. Although notshown, a mainboard mounted with electronic modules, a camera module, apower module, and so forth, along with the display device DD, may beprovided in a bracket or a case to provide a cellphone terminal. Thedisplay device DD may be used for large-sized electronic devices (e.g.,television sets and monitors) or small- or medium-sized electronicdevices (e.g., tablets, car navigation systems, game machines, and smartwatches).

As shown in FIG. 1, the display surface DD-IS may include a displayregion DD-DA used to display the image IM, and a non-display regionDD-NDA adjacent to the display region DD-DA. The non-display area DD-NDAmay not be used to display an image. As an example of the image IM, iconimages are shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display region DD-DA may have a rectangularshape. The non-display region DD-NDA may be provided to surround thedisplay region DD-DA. However, the inventive concepts are not limitedthereto, and in some exemplary embodiments, shapes of the display andnon-display regions DD-DA and DD-NDA may be variously changed as needed.

FIGS. 2A to 2E are cross-sectional views illustrating display devicesDD, DD-1, DD-2, DD-3, and DD-4 according to exemplary embodiments. FIGS.2A to 2E illustrate vertical sections, each of which is taken on a planedefined by the second and third directions DR2 and DR3. In FIGS. 2A to2E, the display devices DD, DD-1, DD-2, DD-3, and DD-4 are illustratedin a simplified manner in order to describe a stacking structure of afunctional panel and/or functional units therein.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the display devices DD, DD-1,DD-2, DD-3, and DD-4 may include a display panel, an input-sensing unit,an anti-reflection unit, and a window unit. At least two of the displaypanel, the input-sensing unit, the anti-reflection unit, and the windowunit may be successively formed by a successive process or may becombined with each other by an adhesive member. FIGS. 2A to 2Eillustrate examples, in which an optically clear adhesive OCA is used asthe adhesive member. In various exemplary embodiments described below,the adhesive member may be a typical adhesive material or a gluingagent. In some exemplary embodiments, the anti-reflection unit and thewindow unit may be replaced with other unit, or may be omitted.

As used herein, the expression “an element B may be directly provided onan element A” may mean that an adhesive layer or an adhesive member isnot provided between the elements A and B, or that the element B is indirect contact with the element A.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the display device DD may include a display panelDP, an anti-reflection panel RPP, an input-sensing unit ISL, a windowpanel WP, a protection film PM, and a supporting layer MP.

The anti-reflection panel RPP may be provided on the display panel DP,the input-sensing unit ISL may be provided on the anti-reflection panelRPP, and the window panel WP may be provided on the input-sensing unitISL. The protection film PM may be provided to below the display panelDP, and the supporting layer MP may be provided below the protectionfilm PM. The supporting layer MP may overlap with at least the displayregion DD-DA (see FIG. 1), but the inventive concepts are not limitedthereto.

The optically clear adhesives OCA may be respectively provided betweenthe display panel DP and the anti-reflection panel RPP, between theanti-reflection panel RPP and s1 the input-sensing unit ISL, and betweenthe input-sensing unit ISL and the window panel WP.

The display panel DP may be configured to generate an image to bedisplayed to the outside, and the input-sensing unit ISL may beconfigured to obtain coordinate information regarding an external input(e.g., touch event).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display panel DP may be alight-emitting type display panel, but the inventive concepts are notlimited to a specific type of the display panel DP. For example, thedisplay panel DP may be an organic light emitting display panel or aquantum dot light-emitting display panel. A light emitting layer of theorganic light emitting display panel may be formed of or include anorganic light emitting material. The light emitting layer of the quantumdot light-emitting display panel may include quantum dots and/or quantumrods. Hereinafter, the display panel DP will be described as the organiclight emitting display panel.

The anti-reflection panel RPP may be configured to reduce reflectance ofan external light that is incident from an outer space to the windowpanel WP. In some exemplary embodiments, the anti-reflection panel RPPmay include a phase retarder and a polarizer. The phase retarder may bea film type or a liquid crystal coating type, and may include a λ/2and/or λ/4 phase retarder. The polarizer may also be a film type or aliquid crystal coating type. The polarizer of the film type may includean elongated synthetic resin film, whereas the polarizer of the liquidcrystal coating type may include liquid crystals arranged with aspecific orientation. The phase retarder and the polarizer may furtherinclude a protection film. At least one of the phase retarder, thepolarizer, or the protection films thereof may be used as a base layerof the anti-reflection panel RPP.

In some exemplary embodiments, the anti-reflection panel RPP may includecolor filters. The color filters may be arranged in a specific manner.The arrangement of the color filters may be determined in considerationof colors of lights to be emitted from pixels in the display panel DP.The anti-reflection panel RPP may further include a black matrixprovided adjacent to the color filters.

In some exemplary embodiments, the anti-reflection panel RPP may have adestructive interference structure. For example, the destructiveinterference structure may include a first reflection layer and a secondreflection layer disposed on different layers. The first reflectionlayer and the second reflection layer may be configured to allow a firstreflection light and a second reflection light, which are respectivelyreflected by the reflection layers to destructively interfere with eachother, which may reduce reflectance of the external light.

The input-sensing unit ISL may be configured to sense a change inelectrostatic capacitance caused by an external object and to determinewhether there is an external input from the external object. Thissensing method of the input-sensing unit ISL may be referred as a“capacitive-sensing method”.

In some exemplary embodiments, the input-sensing unit ISL may beconfigured to sense a change in pressure caused by an external objectand to determine whether there is an external input from the externalobject. This sensing method of the input-sensing unit ISL may bereferred as a “pressure-sensing method”.

The window panel WP may be configured to protect a display module DMfrom an external impact and provide an input surface to a user. Thewindow panel WP may be formed of or include glass or plastic material.The window panel WP may have a transparent property, such that lightgenerated by the display panel DP may pass therethrough.

The protection film PM may be configured to protect the display panelDP. The protection film PM may prevent outer moisture from infiltratingthe display panel DP and absorb shock or impact from the outside.

The protection film PM may include a plastic film, which is used as abase layer thereof. The protection film PM may include a plastic filmincluding one selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone(PES), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN),polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),polyacrylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), poly(aryleneethersulfone), and combination thereof.

Materials for the protection film PM are not limited to plastic resins.For example, organic/inorganic composites may be used for the protectionfilm PM. The protection film PM may include a porous organic layer andan inorganic material, which is formed in pores of the organic layer.The protection film PM may further include a functional layer formed onthe plastic film. The functional layer may include a resin layer. Thefunctional layer may be formed by a coating method.

An adhesive member AD may be configured to combine the protection filmPM with the supporting layer MP. The adhesive member AD nay be apressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The pressure sensitive adhesive mayrefer to a material that has an adhesive property when a pressure isapplied thereto.

In some exemplary embodiments, the adhesive member AD may have a blackcolor. When the adhesive member AD is black, it may be possible toprevent an underlying element, which is placed below the adhesive memberAD, from being recognized by a user, and to meet aesthetic requirementfor the display device DD.

In some exemplary embodiments, the supporting layer MP may be rigid.However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and at least aportion of the supporting layer MP may be flexible.

The supporting layer MP may be formed of or include a metallic materialor carbon graphite. The metallic material may include stainless steel,aluminum, iron, or copper, but the inventive concepts are not limitedthereto. The stainless steel may include SUS304 or SUS316. The SUS304may be a stainless steel containing nickel (Ni, 8-11%) and chromium (Cr,18-20%. The SUS316 may be a stainless steel having high chemicalresistance and high corrosion resistance, as compared with the SUS304.

The supporting layer MP may be laminated to the protection film PM bythe adhesive member AD. The supporting layer MP may be directly andfully provided on the protection film PM, which is provided on the rearsurface of the display panel DP.

The supporting layer MP may be configured to prevent components in thedisplay device DD from being damaged by an external impact.

In addition, the supporting layer MP may be formed of or include amaterial having an excellent heat-dissipation property. In this manner,the supporting layer MP may effectively exhaust heat produced in thedisplay panel DP to the outside. Accordingly, it may be possible toreduce a spatial variation in brightness of the display device DD, whichmay be caused by a variation in temperature between internal componentsof the display panel DP. Furthermore, since heat-dissipation efficiencyof the display panel DP is improved by the supporting layer MP, it maybe possible to prevent a user from being injured by heat produced in thedisplay panel DP (e.g., by low temperature burn).

Due to the rigid property of the supporting layer MP, components on thesupporting layer MP may be provided with a high degree of flatness. Wheninternal components of the display device DD have a high degree offlatness, the display device DD may have an excellent aestheticappearance, even when it is in a turn-off state.

Referring to FIG. 2B, in the display device DD-1, a stacking order ofthe input-sensing unit ISL and the anti-reflection panel RPP may bedifferent from that of the display device DD of FIG. 2A.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the display device DD-2 may be configured toinclude the display module DM, the anti-reflection panel RPP, the windowpanel WP, the protection film PM, and the supporting layer MP.

The display module DM may include the display panel DP and theinput-sensing unit ISL. The input-sensing unit ISL may be directlyprovided on the display panel DP. In other words, the input-sensing unitISL may be formed on the display panel DP serving as a base surface by asuccessive process.

In addition, the anti-reflection panel RPP or the window panel WP mayalso be formed by a successive process. However, the inventive conceptsare not limited thereto, and the anti-reflection panel RPP or the windowpanel WP may be formed by an attaching process using the optically clearadhesive OCA.

In some exemplary embodiments, a stacking order of the input-sensingunit ISL and the anti-reflection panel RPP may be changed.

As shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, the anti-reflection panel RPP may not beprovided in the display device DD-3 or DD-4.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the display device DD-3 may be configured toinclude an input-sensing unit ISL-1, the display panel DP, and thewindow panel WP. Here, the input-sensing unit ISL-1 may be configured tohave an anti-reflection function, unlike the input-sensing units ISL ofFIGS. 2A to 2C.

As shown in FIG. 2E, the display device DD-4 may be configured toinclude a display panel DP-1, the input-sensing unit ISL, and the windowpanel WP. Here, the display panel DP-1 may be configured to have ananti-reflection function, unlike the display panels DP of FIGS. 2A to2D.

In FIGS. 2A to 2E, the input-sensing unit ISL or ISL-1 is shown as beingfully overlapped with the display panel DP or DP-1. However, in someexemplary embodiments, the input-sensing unit ISL or ISL-1 may beoverlapped with only a portion of the display region DD-DA or with onlythe non-display region DD-NDA. The input-sensing unit ISL or ISL-1 maybe a touch-sending panel, which is configured to sense a touch eventfrom a user, or a fingerprint-sensing panel, which is configured to reada fingerprint of a user's finger. The input-sensing unit ISL or ISL-1may include a plurality of sensor electrodes, and a pitch or width ofthe sensor electrodes may be changed according to an intended use of theinput-sensing unit ISL or ISL-1. For the touch-sensing panel, the sensorelectrodes may have a width ranging from several millimeters to severaltens of millimeters, whereas for the fingerprint-sensing panel, thesensor electrodes may have a width ranging from several tens ofmicrometers to several hundreds of micrometers.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the display panel DP according to an exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel PXaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display panel DP may include a display regionDA and a non-display region NDA, when viewed in a plan view. The displayregion DA and the non-display region NDA of the display panel DP maycorrespond to the display region DD-DA and the non-display regionDD-NDA, respectively, of the display device DD (see FIG. 1). In someexemplary embodiments, the display and non-display regions DA and NDA ofthe display panel DP may not be the same as the display and non-displayregions DD-DA and DD-NDA of the display device DD, and may be changedaccording to the structure or design of the display panel DP.

The display panel DP may include a plurality of signal lines SGL and aplurality of pixels PX. A region including the plurality of pixels PXmay be defined as the display region DA. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the non-display region NDA may be defined along an edge orcircumference of the display region DA.

The plurality of signal lines SGL may include gate lines GL, data linesDL, a power line PL, and a control signal line CSL. Each of the gatelines GL may be connected to corresponding ones of the plurality ofpixels PX, and each of the data lines DL may be connected tocorresponding ones of the plurality of pixels PX. The power line PL maybe connected to the plurality of pixels PX. A gate driving circuit DCV,to which the gate lines GL are connected, may be provided at a sideregion of the non-display region NDA. The control signal line CSL may beused to provide control signals to the gate driving circuit DCV.

Some of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and thecontrol signal line CSL may be disposed on the same layer, and at leastone of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and thecontrol signal line CSL may be disposed on layers different from eachother.

Each of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and thecontrol signal line CSL may include a signal line portion and a displaypanel pad PD-DP connected to an end of the signal line portion. Thesignal line portion may be defined as the remaining portion of each ofthe gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and the controlsignal line CSL, except for the display panel pad PD-DP thereof.

The display panel pads PD-DP may be formed by the same process as thatfor forming transistors for driving the pixels. For example, the displaypanel pads PD-DP may be formed by the low temperature polycrystallinesilicon (LTPS) or low temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) process.

In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel pads PD-DP may includea control pad CSL-P, a data pad DL-P, and a power pad PL-P. A gate padmay further be provided to be overlapped with the gate driving circuitDCV, and may be used to provide a signal path to the gate drivingcircuit DCV. A portion of the non-display region NDA, in which thecontrol pad CSL-P, the data pad DL-P, and the power pad PL-P aredisposed, may be referred to as a pad region.

Referring to FIG. 3, a top-side region, a bottom-side region, aleft-side region, and a right-side region may be defined in the displaypanel DP. The bottom-side region of the display panel DP may include thedisplay panel pads PD-DP in the first direction DR1. The top-side regionof the display panel DP may face the bottom-side region of the displaypanel DP in the first direction DR1.

In FIG. 3, the left-side region of the display panel DP may include thegate driving circuit DCV. The right-side region of the display panel DPmay face the right-side region of the display panel DP.

As used herein, an upward direction, a downward direction, a leftwarddirection, and a rightward direction will be respectively used toindicate directions toward the top-side region, the bottom-side region,the left-side region, and the right-side region of the display panel DP.However, the top-side region, the bottom-side region, the left-sideregion, and the right-side region of the display panel DP are notlimited to the above example and may be used to indicate other regionsof the display panel DP.

FIG. 4 illustrates one of the pixels PX that is connected to one of thegate lines GL, one of the data lines DL, and the power line PL accordingto an exemplary embodiment. However, the inventive concepts are notlimited thereto, and the structure of the pixel PX may be variouslychanged.

The pixel PX may include a light-emitting device LM, which may serve asa display element. The light-emitting device LM may be a top-emissiontype diode or a bottom-emission type diode. In some exemplaryembodiments, the light-emitting device LM may be a double-sided emissiontype diode. The light-emitting device LM may be an organic lightemitting diode (OLED). The pixel PX may include a switching transistorTFT-S and a driving transistor TFT-D, which are used to controloperations of the light-emitting device LM, and a capacitor CP. Thelight-emitting device LM may generate light in response to electricalsignals transmitted from the transistors TFT-S and TFT-D.

The switching transistor TFT-S may be configured to output a data signalapplied to the data line DL, in response to a scan signal applied to thegate line GL. The capacitor CP may be charged with a voltage levelcorresponding to the data signal transmitted through the switchingtransistor TFT-S.

The driving transistor TFT-D may be connected to the light-emittingdevice LM. The driving transistor TFT-D may control a driving currentpassing through the light-emitting device LM, based on the amount ofelectric charges stored in the capacitor CP. The light-emitting deviceLM may emit light, when the driving transistor TFT-D is in a turned-onstate. The power line PL may be used to supply a first power voltageVDD1 to the light-emitting device LM.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of the pixel PXaccording to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, FIG. 5 shows across-sectional view of a region, in which the driving TFT-D and thelight-emitting device LM shown in FIG. 4 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, a circuit layer CL may be provided on a base layerBL. The driving transistor TFT-D may include a semiconductor pattern ALDthat is provided on the base layer BL. The semiconductor pattern ALD maybe formed of or include at least one of amorphous silicon, poly silicon,or metal oxide semiconductor materials.

The circuit layer CL may include organic/inorganic layers BR, BF, 12,14, and 16, in addition to the switching transistor TFT-S and thedriving transistor TFT-D described with reference to FIG. 4. Theorganic/inorganic layers BR, BF, 12, 14, and 16 may include functionallayers BR and BF, a first insulating layer 12, a second insulating layer14, and a third insulating layer 16.

The functional layers BR and BF may be provided on a surface of the baselayer BL. The functional layers BR and BF may include at least one of abarrier layer BR or a buffer layer BF. The semiconductor pattern ALD maybe placed on the barrier layer BR or on the buffer layer BF.

The first insulating layer 12 may be provided on the base layer BL tocover the semiconductor pattern ALD. The first insulating layer 12 mayinclude an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. In some exemplaryembodiments, the first insulating layer 12 may include a plurality ofinorganic thin-films, such as a silicon nitride layer and a siliconoxide layer.

The driving transistor TFT-D may include a control electrode GED that isprovided on the first insulating layer 12. Although not shown, theswitching transistor TFT-S may also include a control electrode that isprovided on the first insulating layer 12. The control electrode GED andthe gate line GL (see FIG. 4) may be formed using the samephotolithography process. In other words, the control electrode GED maybe formed of the same material as the gate lines GL, and the controlelectrode GED and the gate lines GL may have the same stacking structureand be disposed on the same layer.

The second insulating layer 14 may be provided on the first insulatinglayer 12 to cover the control electrode GED. The second insulating layer14 may include an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. In someexemplary embodiments, the second insulating layer 14 may include aplurality of inorganic thin-films, such as a silicon nitride layer and asilicon oxide layer.

The data line DL (see FIG. 4) may be provided on the second insulatinglayer 14. The driving transistor TFT-D may include an input electrodeSED and an output electrode DED that are provided on the secondinsulating layer 14. Although not shown, the switching transistor TFT-Smay also include an input electrode and an output electrode that areprovided on the second insulating layer 14. The input electrode SED maybe a portion that is branched off from a corresponding one of the datalines DL. The power line PL (see FIG. 4) and the data lines DL may bedifferent portions of the same layer. The input electrode SED may bebranched off from the power line PL.

A portion of an electrode of the capacitor CP may be provided on thesecond insulating layer 14. The portion of the electrode of thecapacitor CP may be formed using the same photolithography process asthose for forming the data lines DL and the power line PL. In this case,the portion of the electrode of the capacitor CP, the data lines DL, andthe power line PL may be formed of the same material, disposed on thesame layer, and have the same stacking structure.

The input electrode SED and the output electrode DED may be connected torespective portions of the semiconductor pattern ALD through a firstthrough hole CH1 and a second through hole CH2, which are formed topenetrate both of the first insulating layer 12 and the secondinsulating layer 14. In some exemplary embodiments, the switchingtransistor TFT-S and the driving transistor TFT-D may be configured tohave a bottom gate structure.

The third insulating layer 16 may be provided on the second insulatinglayer 14 to cover the input electrode SED and the output electrode DED.The third insulating layer 16 may include an organic layer and/or aninorganic layer. In some exemplary embodiments, the third insulatinglayer 16 may include an organic material and may have a flat topsurface.

According to a circuit structure of the pixel, one of the firstinsulating layer 12, the second insulating layer 14, and the thirdinsulating layer 16 may be omitted. Each of the second insulating layer14 and the third insulating layer 16 may be defined as an interlayeredinsulating layer. The interlayered insulating layer may be providedbetween vertically-separated conductive patterns and be used toelectrically disconnect the conductive patterns from each other.

A light-emitting device layer ELL may be provided on the thirdinsulating layer 16. The light-emitting device layer ELL may include apixel definition layer PXL and the light-emitting device LM. An anode AEmay be provided on the third insulating layer 16. The anode AE may beconnected to the output electrode DED of the driving transistor TFT-Dthrough a third through hole CH3, which is formed to penetrate the thirdinsulating layer 16. An opening OP may be defined in the pixeldefinition layer PXL. The opening OP of the pixel definition layer PXLmay expose a portion of the anode AE.

The light-emitting device layer ELL may include a light-emitting regionPXA and a non-light-emitting region NPXA adjacent to the light-emittingregion PXA. The non-light-emitting region NPXA may be provided toenclose the light-emitting region PXA. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the light-emitting region PXA may be defined to correspondto the anode AE. However, the structure or position of thelight-emitting region PXA is not limited thereto. For example, thelight-emitting region PXA may be defined as a region, from which lightis emitted. In some exemplary embodiments, the light-emitting region PXAmay be defined to correspond to the portion of the anode AE exposed bythe opening OP.

A hole control layer HCL may be provided in common on the light-emittingregion PXA and the non-light-emitting region NPXA. Although not shown, acommon layer, such as the hole control layer HCL, may be provided incommon in a plurality of the pixels PX (see FIG. 3).

A light emitting layer EML may be provided on the hole control layerHCL. The light emitting layer EML may be locally provided only in aregion corresponding to the opening OP. In other words, the lightemitting layer EML may be divided into a plurality of patterns that areformed in the plurality of pixels PX, respectively.

The light emitting layer EML may include an organic material or aninorganic material. An electron control layer ECL may be provided on thelight emitting layer EML. A cathode CE may be provided on the electroncontrol layer ECL. The cathode CE may be placed in common on theplurality of pixels PX.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the light emitting layer EML isillustrated to have a patterned structure, but in some exemplaryembodiments, the light emitting layer EML may be provided in common tospan the plurality of pixels PX. In this case, the light emitting layerEML may be configured to emit a white-color light. In some exemplaryembodiments, the light emitting layer EML may be provided to have amulti-layered structure.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a thin encapsulation layer TFE maybe provided to directly cover the cathode CE. In some exemplaryembodiments, a capping layer may be further provided to cover thecathode CE. In this case, the thin encapsulation layer TFE may beprovided to directly cover the capping layer. The thin encapsulationlayer TFE may include at least one of organic and inorganic layers.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a verticalsection taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectionalview illustrating a portion of a vertical section taken along lineII-II′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating aportion of a vertical section taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, at least one of components stacked in thethird direction DR3 to form the display device DD may have a length orwidth that is different from others in the first direction DR1 or thesecond direction DR2. For example, one of the components may protrudeoutwardly from another component, in the first direction DR1 or thesecond direction DR2.

Referring to FIG. 6, the display panel DP may include a portionprotruding outwardly from the supporting layer MP by a first length L1in the second direction DR2. The first length L1 may range from about160 μm to 180 μm.

The input-sensing unit ISL may include a portion protruding outwardlyfrom the supporting layer MP by a second length L2 in the seconddirection DR2. The second length L2 may be longer by about 40 μm to 60μm than the first length L1.

The optically clear adhesive OCA provided below the input-sensing unitISL may include a portion protruding outwardly from the supporting layerMP by a third length L3 in the second direction DR2. The third length L3may range from about 20 μm to 30 μm.

The input-sensing unit ISL may be outwardly protruded from the opticallyclear adhesive OCA, which is provided thereunder, by about 170 μm to 220μm in the second direction DR2.

Although FIG. 6 illustrates a vertical section of the right-side regionof the display device DD shown in FIG. 1, the left-side region of thedisplay device DD may have a shape corresponding to that shown in FIG.6. Thus, when measured in the second direction DR2, a length of thesupporting layer MP may be less than lengths of the display panel DP,the anti-reflection panel RPP, and the input-sensing unit ISL.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display panel DP may include a portionprotruding outwardly from the supporting layer MP by a fourth length L4in the first direction DR1. The fourth length L4 may range from about160 μm to 180 μm.

The input-sensing unit ISL may include a portion protruding outwardlyfrom the supporting layer MP by a fifth length L5 in the first directionDR1. The fifth length L5 may be longer by about 20 μm to 40 μm than thefourth length L4.

The optically clear adhesive OCA provided below the input-sensing unitISL may include a portion protruding outwardly from the supporting layerMP by a sixth length L6 in the first direction DR1. The sixth length L6may range from about 3 μm to 8 μm.

The input-sensing unit ISL may be outwardly protruded from the opticallyclear adhesive OCA, which is provided thereunder, by about 180 μm to 220μm (or about 172 μm to 217 μm) in the first direction DR1.

Referring to FIG. 8, the protection film PM may include a portionprotruding outwardly from the supporting layer MP by a seventh length L7in the first direction DR1. The seventh length L7 may range from about200 μm to 250 μm.

The display panel DP may include a portion protruding outwardly from theprotection film PM in the first direction DR1.

The supporting layer MP may include a portion protruding outwardly fromthe anti-reflection panel RPP by an eighth length L8 in the firstdirection DR1. The eighth length L8 may range from about 100 μm to 150μm. Thus, a portion of the supporting layer MP may not be overlappedwith the anti-reflection panel RPP, but may be overlapped with thedisplay panel DP, in the third direction DR3.

The supporting layer MP may include a portion protruding outwardly fromthe optically clear adhesive OCA, which is provided below theinput-sensing unit ISL, by a ninth length L9 in the first direction DR1,and the optically clear adhesive OCA (e.g., the top OCA in FIG. 8)provided on the input-sensing unit ISL may include a portion protrudingoutwardly from the supporting layer MP by a tenth length L10 in thefirst direction DR1. That is, in the third direction DR3, a portion ofthe supporting layer MP may not be overlapped with the optically clearadhesive OCA disposed below the input-sensing unit ISL, and may beoverlapped with the optically clear adhesive OCA disposed on theinput-sensing unit ISL.

The input-sensing unit ISL may include a portion protruding outwardlyfrom the supporting layer MP by an eleventh length L11 in the firstdirection DR1.

The input-sensing unit ISL may be outwardly protruded from the opticallyclear adhesive OCA, which is provided thereunder, by about 900 μm to 1mm in the first direction DR1. The input-sensing unit ISL may beoutwardly protruded from the optically clear adhesive OCA disposedthereon by about 280 μm to 360 μm in the first direction DR1.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a difference in visibility of surface wrinklesbetween the display device DD according to an exemplary embodiment and aconventional display device.

In FIG. 9, A sample represents a display device not provided with asupporting layer, and B sample represents the display device DDincluding the supporting layer MP according to an exemplary embodiment.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, visibility of a surface wrinkle in the Bsample B according to the exemplary embodiment is lower than that in theA sample. This is because the structures on the supporting layer MP havea high degree of flatness due to the presence of the supporting layerMP.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are cross-sectional views illustratingsupporting layers MP-1, MP-2, and MP-3 according to exemplaryembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the supporting layer MP-1 may include a metallayer MT and a plating layer CT.

The metal layer MT may be formed of or include a metallic material(e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, iron, or copper). The plating layer CTmay be formed of or include nickel (Ni). The plating layer CT may beformed on the metal layer MT by a plating or coating method.

The plating layer CT may have a black color. Since the plating layer CTis black, components provided below the plating layer CT may not berecognized by an external user. As such, the display device DD may havean excellent aesthetic appearance.

The plating layer CT may provide a surface, to which the protection filmPM is attached by the adhesive member AD.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the supporting layer MP-2 may include a firstmetal layer MT1 and a second metal layer MT2.

The first metal layer MT1 may be formed of or include a first metallicmaterial, and the second metal layer MT2 may be formed of or include asecond metallic material. The first metallic material may be differentfrom the second metallic material.

By using the first and second metal layers MT1 and MT2 includingdifferent metallic materials, it may be possible to combine technicaladvantages of the different metallic materials. For example, when thefirst metallic material has an excellent heat-dissipation property andthe second metallic material has an excellent rigidity, the supportinglayer MP-2 including the first and second metallic materials may haveexcellent heat-dissipation and rigidity properties.

Referring to FIG. 10C, the supporting layer MP-3 may include an adhesivemember AD-1, in addition to the first metal layer MT1 and the secondmetal layer MT2. The adhesive member AD-1 may be provided between thefirst metal layer MT1 and the second metal layer MT2, which may enhancethe combination of the metal layers MT1 and MT2 with each other.

FIG. 11A is a plan view illustrating a structure, in which the displaypanel DP, the protection film PM, and the supporting layer MP arestacked, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 11B is an enlargedview of a portion ‘AA’ of FIG. 11A.

Each of FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a shape of the display device DD ofFIG. 1, when viewed from below.

In some exemplary embodiments, alignment marks ALM may be defined on orin a surface of the protection film PM. The alignment marks ALM may beused to align components to each other, when the components are combinedto each other. In some exemplary embodiments, the alignment marks ALMmay be defined on the display panel DP, instead on the protection filmPM.

In some exemplary embodiments, an edge portion of the supporting layerMP may be inwardly recessed in the first direction DR1 or in the seconddirection DR2 to define a recessed region HM. The recessed region HM maybe formed to expose the alignment marks ALM, such that the supportinglayer MP may not block forming additional components therebelow.

A shape or position of the recessed region HM is not limited to theabove example and may be changed in consideration of positions or shapesof the alignment marks ALM.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a verticalsection taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 12, unlike in FIG. 6, the supporting layer MP may beprotruded from the display panel DP by a first length L1-1, from theinput-sensing unit ISL by a second length L2-1, and from the opticallyclear adhesive OCA disposed below the input-sensing unit ISL, by a thirdlength L3-1, in the second direction DR2. Since the supporting layer MPprotrudes from other components, durability of a display device againstan external impact may be improved.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device DD-5according to an exemplary embodiment. The display device DD-5 mayinclude the display panel DP, the anti-reflection panel RPP, theinput-sensing unit ISL, the window panel WP, the protection film PM, thesupporting layer MP, and a pressure-sensing unit FSP.

The pressure-sensing unit FSP may be configured to measure the magnitudeof an external pressure. When the display device DD-5 includes theinput-sensing unit ISL and the pressure-sensing unit FSP, it may bepossible to detect the occurrence of a touch event and the magnitude ofan external pressure, and thereby to more effectively utilize thedisplay device DD-5.

The pressure-sensing unit FSP may include a force sensor. In someexemplary embodiments, the force sensor may include at least one straingauge. The strain gauge may be configured to measure pressure, torque,or stress using the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric effectrefers to a phenomenon in which electrical resistance of a metal orsemiconductor resistor is changed when the resistor is deformed.

The alignment marks ALM described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11Bmay be used to dispose the pressure-sensing unit FSP below thesupporting layer MP.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD2according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective viewillustrating a display device DD3 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, a portion or the entirety of the display deviceDD2 may be bent or rolled.

Referring to FIG. 15, the display device DD3 may be a wearable devicethat can be worn on the human body. In FIG. 15, a clock-type device isillustrated as an example of the display device DD3, but the inventiveconcepts are not limited thereto. A shape of the display device DD3 maybe variously changed to be worn on the human body.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, adisplay device is configured to have good durability, and thus, internalelements of the display device may be prevented from being broken by anexternal impact.

In addition, the display device may be configured to effectively exhaustheat produced from internal elements thereof to the outside. In thismanner, a spatial variation in brightness of the display device, whichmay be caused by a spatial variation in temperature of a display panel,may be reduced.

Furthermore, the display device may be configured to provide anexcellent aesthetic appearance even in its turn-off state.

Although some exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limitedto such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presentedclaims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a display panel, inwhich a display region comprising a plurality of organic light emittingdevices and a non-display region adjacent to the display region aredefined; a protection film disposed below the display panel; a firstadhesive layer contacting a bottom surface of the protection film; asupporting layer comprising a metallic material, at least overlappingthe entire display region, and contacting the first adhesive layer; ananti-reflection unit disposed on the display panel; an input-sensingunit disposed on the anti-reflection unit; and a window panel disposedon the input-sensing unit.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein thefirst adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 3. Thedisplay device of claim 2, wherein the first adhesive layer has a blackcolor.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein: the protection filmcomprises a plurality of alignment marks on a bottom portion thereof;and the supporting layer exposes the alignment marks.
 5. The displaydevice of claim 4, wherein: the supporting layer has a recessed regionformed in one side thereof in a plan view; and the recessed regionexposes the alignment marks.
 6. The display device of claim 1, wherein awidth of the supporting layer is greater than a width of the displaypanel.
 7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the metallic materialcomprises at least one of stainless steel, aluminum, iron, and copper.8. The display device of claim 1, wherein the supporting layer comprisesgraphite.
 9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the supporting layerfurther comprises a plating layer having a black color and contactingthe first adhesive layer.
 10. The display device of claim 9, wherein theplating layer comprises nickel (Ni).
 11. The display device of claim 1,wherein: an upward direction, a downward direction, a leftwarddirection, and a rightward direction are defined on a plane parallel tothe display region; in the rightward direction and the leftwarddirection, the anti-reflection unit protrudes outwardly from thesupporting layer; in the upward direction, the anti-reflection unitprotrudes outwardly from the supporting layer; and in the downwarddirection, the supporting layer protrudes outwardly from theanti-reflection unit.
 12. The display device of claim 11, wherein thedisplay panel further comprises a plurality of pads disposed in thedownward direction and configured to provide electrical signals to theorganic light emitting devices.
 13. A display device, comprising: adisplay panel, in which a display region comprising a plurality oforganic light emitting devices and a non-display region adjacent to thedisplay region are defined; a protection film disposed below the displaypanel; a first adhesive layer contacting a bottom surface of theprotection film; and a supporting layer at least overlapping the entiredisplay region, contacting the first adhesive layer, and including afirst metal layer and a second metal layer comprising a metallicmaterial different from each other; and a second adhesive layer disposedbetween the first metal layer and the second metal layer.
 14. A displaydevice, comprising: a display panel, in which a display regioncomprising a plurality of organic light emitting devices and anon-display region adjacent to the display region are defined; aprotection film disposed below the display panel; a first adhesive layercontacting a bottom surface of the protection film; a supporting layercomprising a metallic material, at least overlapping the entire displayregion, and contacting the first adhesive layer; and a pressure-sensingunit disposed below the supporting layer and configured to sensepressure exerted from an outside.
 15. A display device, comprising: adisplay panel configured to display an image; an input-sensing unitdisposed on the display panel; an anti-reflection unit disposed on thedisplay panel and configured to suppress reflection of external lightincident thereto; a first adhesive layer disposed below the displaypanel; and a supporting layer having rigidity and directly disposed onthe first adhesive layer, wherein the supporting layer includes a firstportion that overlaps the display panel but does not overlap theanti-reflection unit in a plan view, and wherein the display panel isdisposed between the input-sensing unit and the supporting layer. 16.The display device of claim 15, wherein the first adhesive layercomprises a pressure sensitive adhesive that has a black color.
 17. Thedisplay device of claim 15, wherein: the display panel comprises aplurality of alignment marks disposed on a lower portion thereof; andthe supporting layer has a recessed region exposing the alignment marks.18. The display device of claim 15, wherein the supporting layercomprises a metallic material or graphite.
 19. The display device ofclaim 18, wherein the metallic material comprises SUS304 or SUS316. 20.The display device of claim 15, wherein the supporting layer furthercomprises a plating layer having a black color and contacting the firstadhesive layer.
 21. The display device of claim 20, wherein the platinglayer comprises nickel.
 22. The display device of claim 15, wherein thesupporting layer comprises: a first metal layer comprising a firstmetallic material; and a second metal layer comprising a second metallicmaterial different from the first metallic material.
 23. The displaydevice of claim 22, further comprising a second adhesive member disposedbetween the first metal layer and the second metal layer and configuredto combine the first metal layer with the second metal layer.
 24. Thedisplay device of claim 15, wherein a width of the supporting layer isgreater than a width of the display panel.